Free-Wrench

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Synopsis

The islands of Caldera are a shining jewel in a rather bleak world. A terrible calamity in the past had blanketed much of the world with a toxic "fug." Those who survived were forced to take to the mountains and the skies in wondrous airships. Life has since been a struggle, with only the most ruthless and crafty able to survive. To spare themselves the same fate, the Calderans erected a battery of guns to fend off the airships of the mainland. They isolated themselves from the madness of the world, choosing instead to focus on the pursuits of art and creativity. Few believe the technologically advanced but socially barbarous outsiders have anything to offer. Amanita Graus, though, is hoping that they do.Nita's mother has lost her livelihood and perhaps soon her life to a terrible disease. Already the black sheep of the family for embracing engineering rather than art, Nita resolves to leave the safety of her home and do whatever it takes to find a cure. For a price, the bizarre crew of an airship called The Wind Breaker are willing to grant her a meeting with their mysterious benefactors, and thus a chance to procure the one thing with a chance to save her mother.Free-Wrench follows Nita’s adventures in a steampunk world of airships and lunatics. Helping her in her journey are an eccentric crew of smugglers; the gruff Cap’n Mack, the simple but enthusiastic Lil and Coop, the arrogant marksman Gunner, the surly surgeon Butch, and the irritable mascot Wink. To survive and find what she seeks she’ll need to earn their trust, follow their rules, and meet face to face with the people who pull the strings of their society.

The Free - wrench

Very good story built around a culture of people that worked around crafts all independent of each other. In this story a hot air balloon ship is illegally trading with groups cut off from each other so that each group had a minolopy preventing others from improving on performance. Great concept.

by Colonel John F O'Sullivan Jr USAF-RETon December 7, 2017

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4.0

FW page turner

A great page turner with lots of action and some comedy

by Gerry Bookmanon March 12, 2018

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5

Great character, fun adventure yarn

Finally! A teenage female protagonist who has more on her mind than boys! Free-Wrench was a refreshing change from the drama queens and hormone-driven young women that seem to populate fantasy these days.
Nita, the main character, is in search of a life with purpose. She leaves her sheltered island home in search of a cure for her dying mother. What she finds is a wide and richly varied world filled with possibilities and risks. She learns some hard lessons on her journey, but she handles her mistakes with grace. She's accompanied by an interesting supporting cast.
The setting is described in enough detail that I could see it in my mind, but not so over-blown that the story bogged down in too much detail. The plot races along with difficult obstacles and believable escapes.
If you're looking for light good fun with a smart character set in a dystopian steampunk world, give this a try. I've already purchased the next in the series.

by KSFon January 26, 2017

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5

Free Wrench

This novel was captivating from the very start. I was totally engrossed by the vivid action sequences and as a former sailor, truly appreciated the shipboard crew interaction. I hope to find more books of this genre